A Guideline to Find a Suitable Gastroenterologist for You
According to researches, more than 60 to 70% of people suffer from digestive diseases including gallstones, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease and inflammatory bowel diseases every year in the United States. You may experience discomforts such as abdominal bloating, mild heartburn, and stomachache. . If you encounter these issues frequently, do not neglect and consult an experienced gastroenterologist.
There is no denying that if you are diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease, then finding a trustworthy doctor is likely on the top of your list. Being a good gastroenterologist does not mean that he or she can be right for you. That's why we have discussed how to find the right doctor so that you can be empowered with the information you need to make the right decision. But first, you should know what is gastrointestinal, what the doctor does and what you should expect out of this visit.
What is the Gastrointestinal System?
This system contains a hollow tube that runs from the mouth to the anus which digests and absorbs the food. A few organs help to continue the process like the pancreas, liver and gallbladder. This system includes the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, mouth, esophagus, biliary duct, and gallbladder.
What Does a Gastroenterologist Do?
Gastroenterologists generally diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice. They treat diseases with specific medications and may perform colonoscopies in order to look into your gastrointestinal tract.
How to Get the Appointment With the Right Doctor?
1. Try to Get Referrals From Others
People visit a primary care doctor when they become ill in the beginning. You can ask him or her to suggest any good doctor. Moreover, you can also ask your friends, family members and other healthcare providers to get recommendations. After choosing the most suitable one from the list, ask for a consult appointment to interview the doctor.
2. Consider His or Her Experience
If you visit a doctor for surgical purposes, then the experience becomes a great factor in this case. The more experience the doctor has, the better result you can get. Make sure that your doctor has completed a fellowship training program. You can also ask the specialists how many patients the specialist has treated till now.
What Should You Take with You During the Appointment?
Copies of your previous medical records
Family history of the disease
List of surgeries you have had
List of questions
List of current medications
Name and contact information of pharmacy
Contact Your Health Expert
When you want to manage complicated health conditions, time may not be on your side. Doctors try to provide the best care as much as possible. You can contact a specialized doctor to get recovered from this condition, then why not give us a call to find out more information? Drop a mail or call at Digestive Disease Specialists, INC in Edmond, OK.
**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.
